Lock for pool and billiard tables.



J. M. STIVERS.

LOOK FOR POOL AND BILLIARD TABLES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6, 1907.

96%,581. Patented Ju1y19,1910.

A ZBKEETS-SHEET 1.

J. M. STIVERS.

LOOK FOR POOL AND BILLIARD TABLES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5, 1907.

Patented Ju1 19, 1910.

2 SKBETS-BHEET 2.

l"" lg i l \E-----/ 19i tueaseo attoamag 1w: NORRIS PETERS co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

JAKE M. STIVERS, OF OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOB TO THE STIVERS AUTOMATIC COVER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF COLORADO.

LOOK FOR POOL AND BILLIABD TABLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 19, 1910.

Application filed January 5, 1907. Serial No. 350,973.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAKE M. STIVERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oklahoma city, in the county of Oklahoma, Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looks for Pool and Billiard Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for locking pool and billiard tables against unauthorized use, and pertains particularly to mechanism which is electrically controlled to unlock and lock and remove the obstructions which prevent the use of the tables for the progress of a game.

The object of the invention is to provide a reliable and effective device or apparatus of this character, which will insure the full financial returns to the proprietor from each table and will relieve him of the constant inspection of the tables during hours when the tables are ready for play. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pool table equipped with my locking device and showing the unlocked position; Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of a billiard table provided with my locking device as in its unlocked position; Fig. 3 is a cross section on line as Fig. 1; Fig. 4: is a cross section on line m Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the table locking device; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal elevation partly sectional of the solenoid shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a plan view of the stirrup latch which holds the locking device in an unlocked position.

Similar letters and numerals refer to similar parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 represents a pool table provided with one of my locking devices; A being the table, 13 the legs, C the pockets, a the major solenoid, Z) its tubular support containing the spiral spring Z) used to lift the solenoid core and the cross-bar 0 carrying the side-bars c having secured thereon the vertical ball-rods (Z bearing the balls cl; 6 e are the duplicate pneumatic checks or brakes connected to piston-rods e e to retard the movement of the solenoid core; 6 is the base upon which are secured the pneumatic checks and the major solenoid support; f and f are the electrical solenoid connecting wires.

Referring to Fig. 5, secured within the major solenoid a is the vertical solenoid core tube and guide (4 having duplicate slots in its opposite sides adapted to the vertical movement of the cross-bar c which is prevented from escape by the bolt a. Near the top and upon the side of the said guide a is secured the laterally projecting stirrup 51, supporting the minor solenoid it having secured therein and projecting longitudinally therefrom the solenoid core case or tube it; the core i is prevented from escape by the pin 2" against which the core 2' is normally forced by the spiral spring a. A cavity or space is thus provided between the inner end of the core and the sliding plunger bar j, the outer end of the latter being loosely secured in the upper end of the locking-bar 7a, which is pivoted in the saddle 7c secured firmly to the semi-casing 7c". The lower end of the said locking-bar is loosely secured in the saddle mfirmly secured to the stirrup latch 12, its ends being supported by the duplicate guides 17/. The adjusting screw m is for the purpose of regulating the degree of catch of the points of the stirruplatch over the cross-bar 0 during the unlocked position as shown in Fig. 5.

When suitable starting mechanism, (not shown) is actuated, the major solenoid becomes energized by current from the wires 7 and f, and draws the core a downwardly. This causes the bar 0, with the attached members 0 carrying the balls d likewise to descend, thelatter clearing the pockets of the pool table, and thus preparing the pool table for a game. (See Figs. 1 and 3.) The bar 0 is maintained in its lowered position by the latch 12, which is controlled by the minor solenoid h, the latter being suitably energized in conjunction with the starting mechanism to unlock the bar 0 at the end of a predetermined time. Thus, at the end of such a period, the solenoid h is energized to cause the core 2' to strike the plunger j which in turn, trips the latch 11. to withdraw the latter from engagement with bar 0. When released, said bar is forced upwardly by the action of springs 71 011 the core a and the balls (Z again enter the pockets to lock the table against use.

Figs. 2 and l'SllOW a modified form of my invention as applied to billiard tables, in which the ends of the cross-bar 0 are bent upward and attached to the side bars which are shorter and also the ball standards or supporting rods cl to the upper ends of which the balls cl are loosely attached and have elbow-like arms 1 pivoted to the sides of the table A in a manner to project the gameblocking rods 2' from their hiding place under the table railing, the dotted lines showing the locked or blocked position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a game table, the combination with the pockets of a plurality of balls mounted to enter said pockets, means for supporting said balls for vertical reciprocative move ment, and means for actuating said supporting means to simultaneously remove from or enter said balls in said pockets.

2. In a game table, the combination of a major solenoid mounted below said table, a Vertically movable core mounted in said solenoid, bars and cross-bars mounted on and actuated by said core, and means carried by said crossbars mounted to engage said gametable to block the playing of games thereon.

3. In a game-table, the combination of a series of pocket closing balls, ball rods can rying said balls for vertical movement, side bars supporting said ball rods,a cross-bar supporting said side bars, a solenoid below said table, a core movable in said solenoid and mounted to support said cross-bar, a coil spring adapted to maintain said core at its highest point, a latch adapted to lock said core at its lowest point of movement, and a minor solenoid adapted to control said latch to release said bar.

4. In a game table, the combination of a series of pocket-closing balls, ball-rods carrying said balls, side-bars supporting said ball-rods, a cross-bar carrying said sidebars, a solenoid, a core in said solenoid having said crossbar mounted thereon, and pneumatic checks mounted adjacent said solenoid, piston rods mounted in said checks and secured to said cross-bar, said checks being adapted to regulate the downward move ment of said core and its supported elements.

In testimony whereof I atfiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAKE M. STIVERS.

lVitnesses H. J. ROLEKE, ED. L. DUNN. 

